322 On the Construction of Kitchen 



one over the other, and heated by the same fire; and 

 their fire-place is only 6 inches wide, 6 inches high, and 

 9 inches long. 



If the fire-place of an iron oven be properly constructed, 

 and if the fire be properly managed, it is almost incred- 

 ible how small a quantity of fuel will answer for heating 

 the oven, and for keeping it hot. But if the fire-place 

 door be allowed to stand open, and a torrent of cold air 

 be permitted to rush into the fire-place and through the 

 flues, it will be found quite impossible to heat the oven 

 properly, whatever maybe the quantity of fuel consumed 

 under it ; and neither the baking of bread nor of pies, 

 nor any other process of cookery, can be performed in 

 it in a suitable manner. 



A very moderate share indeed of ingenuity is required 

 in the proper management of a fire in a closed fire-place, 

 and very little attention. And as it requires no bodily 

 exertion, but saves labour and expense and anxiety; 

 and as moreover it is an interesting and amusing oc- 

 cupation, attended by no disgusting circumstance, and 

 productive of none but pleasing, agreeable, and useful 

 consequences, we may, I think, venture to hope that 

 those prejudices which prevent the introduction of 

 these improvements will in time be removed. 



It is not obstinacy, it is that apathy which follows a 

 total corruption of taste and morals, that is an incurable 

 evil ; for that, alas ! there is no remedy but calamity and 

 extermination. 



Ovens may be used in boiling and stewing, and also in 

 warming Rooms. 



There are so many different ways in which the heat 

 necessary in preparing food may be applied, that it 



